A California mother, Juliette Acosta, 26, has been charged with murder after allegedly leaving her 4-year-old daughter, Reagan Herrin, to die in a partially submerged SUV following a DUI crash.
Authorities say Acosta sent the vehicle into an irrigation canal on March 8, near Hickman, and then failed to render aid to her daughter, instead being found taking a bath while her child remained trapped in peril.
Charges Upgraded After Investigation
Originally charged only with felony drunk driving for the deadly crash, Acosta’s charges were later upgraded to include murder, vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and several other counts.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office explained that Acosta had a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
The new charges also allege that Acosta left the scene without helping her daughter, who was trapped in the submerged vehicle, and later evaded police before being arrested in San Francisco.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
On the night of March 8, Acosta was driving under the influence when she lost control of her SUV, sending it into a nearby irrigation canal. According to prosecutors, her daughter, Reagan Herrin, was trapped inside the vehicle, but Acosta left the scene, failing to assist her daughter.
Instead of helping, Acosta was later found by authorities taking a bath while her child remained in danger. She was eventually apprehended in San Francisco, where she attempted to flee before being transported back to Stanislaus County by the California Highway Patrol.
Impact on the Community
The tragic death of Reagan Herrin has deeply impacted the local community, with many expressing their support for the Herrin family. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to support Gage Herrin, the victim’s father, and the family has expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from local residents.
The fundraiser description mentions that any leftover funds will be donated back to the community in Reagan’s honor, aiming to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Legal Consequences and Potential Sentence
If convicted on all charges, Juliette Acosta could face up to life in prison. She is currently being held without bail. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office has committed to a thorough investigation to ensure justice for Reagan Herrin.